My journey to become NGPF’s new Chief Operating Officer started five years ago when I participated in a presentation of the NGPF-MEDE founders. They shared about the impact of financial literacy on high school students; The fascinating curriculum that the team had designed (who knew that a financial class could be fun?!); And the Groundswell of teachers who brought this curriculum to life in their classrooms.
Towards the end I had two primary thoughts:
- This is an incredible organization that does essential work, and
- I could use that curriculum for myself!
I still vividly remember the day my father took me to open my first bank account. I had just started the university and we walked into a local bank branch, drawn up bills and proudly saved accounts and proudly chose an under-the-sea theme for my new checkbook.
I felt both empowered and ‘adult’ but also overwhelmed by this new responsibility. I missed the tool kit to even ask the right questions.
And while I continued to stumble through financial decisions to adulthood, I had a safety net: parents who were financially literate and a socio-economic background that enabled me to make mistakes without life-changing consequences.
Looking back, I recognize that privilege and how unfair it is that not every young person has access to the same basis.
That faith – that chance should not depend on where you were born or the circumstances that you inherit – has led my professional path.
I previously worked for a non -profit with a mission to close the digital gap to make economic safety and opportunities possible. The same necessity is what my connection with the mission of NGPF drives: resting students with the financial skills they need to unlock a fair future.
I am very happy that I joined NGPF at such a crucial moment for both the organization and the Personal Finance Movement.
Mission 2030 encourages real change to ensure that personal financial education is a reality for every high school student. NGPF is ready to meet the moment, and I could no longer be excited to be part of the work for us.
#bank #account #Mission